Which fight were these top heavies peak?

Fantastic Post.

 

Most historians agree with that.

Probably not, Lewis was still in his prime no doubt about it. But most would say Lennox reached his peak when he beat the supremly shot Mike Tyson in 2002. Most finally regarded him as the Greatest heavyweight of his era.

???? What? It's not like i disagree or anything, i just (out of curiosity) want to know exactly what rocky did in that fight to make you think he was at his best, my friend. I've never watched the bout and i don't know a lot of things about mathews, but since you look like someone who knows more than 2 things about Rocky's career, an answer to that question would be interesting to read.

Hell yeah!

Great choice, but i would pick Liston's win over Zora Folley.

Both Tyson and Frazier strongly believe that.

Some people usually use "1979 Larry Holmes" to describe a prime Holmes whenever the guy is in a H2H matchup. And i will go with that. Maybe his win over Shavers in the second fight takes it.

Yes.
Excellent answer.

 

Ali-Foreman
Louis-Schmeling 2/ Baer (I can't decide)
Lewis-Ruddock
Marciano-very tough, I will go with Walcott 1
Foreman-Frazier 1
Liston-Williams 1 or 2
Tyson-Berbick
Frazier-Ali 1
Holmes-Norton, maybe Cooney or Shavers 2

 

My answer differs from yours, but I think it's awesome you put Norton as Foreman's peak fight. That is such an underrated win of George's that should be talked about way more.

 

That may be true, I had not noticed. But thank you. Your list is good also.

 

Ali foreman 74
Louis schmeling 2
Lewis Holyfield 1
Marciano Louis was so relentless
Foreman Norton
Liston Williams 2
Tyson holmes
Frazier Ali 1
Holmes my favourite fighter here I’d say shavers 1
Wlad K I’d say haye yeh

 

Ali- Cleveland Williams > That's the historical default setting aided a bit by Williams own struggles making the fight a perfect sample of Ali.

Louis- Schmeling 2 > Another historical default and a good one aided a smidge by Max not getting any younger.

Lewis- Rahman 2 > The Lewis peak is very difficult to pick due to being a late bloomer with age competing with the bloom. The rematch looks a bit better than it was because Lewis' focus, acclimatization and prep in the first were abysmal and quite frankly he was absolute garbage. He made Rahman look better than he was both reflected in the rematch. Lewis was probably as good as he ever was around 98. The Golota fight might be semi reasonable but you could debate a fair period. He may have been tailing off by Holyfield i think but he was certainly still impressive in the first. I'll go with Golota where he showed he could not only sit back safety first but also belt you clean out of there if the situation suited. Golota was coming off the two DQ's against Bowe where he dominated even when Bowe got in shape for the rematch.Remember Golota's great showings prior t DQ agaisnt Bowe saw Lewis only a 6-5 fave, virtually even money!

Marciano- Matthews > I'll showcase Walcott II. Under 3 minutes work against a guy that had just pushed him enormously.

Foreman- Norton > That or his incredible break out vs Frazier take your pick.

Liston- Williams 2 > A fine choice. Improved from the first fight, a great effort in itself and now a very versatile monster.

Tyson- Spinks > Another default choice - for great reason.

Frazier- FOTC > And another - virtually indisputable.

Holmes- Cooney > It has to be earlier for me. His peak was virtually Ali but it's not a great showcase due to Ali's condition. Lets go Leon Spinks as he wasn't yet tailing off IMO.

Wlad K- Haye > Another long effective career so i'll go with that one.

Lewis by far the most difficult and i reckon Wlad might invite some varied responses.

 

I agree with all these. Holmes was definitely peaking against Leon Spinks...I think only 60s Ali or prime Louis could have beaten him at that time, and neither would have stopped him.

 

He was definitely up there...but that year was the Weaver fight (granted, Larry was obviously suffering from a terrible cold)

 

Some alternates that haven't been mentioned yet, I think, where I'd put the winner in against anyone in history:

Ali - Terrell
Louis - Carnera
Lewis - Grant
Marciano - Charles II
Foreman - Frazier I
Liston - Patterson I
Tyson - Biggs
Frazier - Quarry I
Holmes - Leroy Jones
Wlad K - Byrd II

 

I remember when that fight happened I was thinking little of Jones, as I'd only seen him fight once before, an unimpressive decision victory. He brought his A game with him against Larry, had surprisingly good hand speed and general movement...a legitimate contender. Watching Holmes just pick away at him was really impressive; the shots Larry landed toward the last round and a half were reverberating.